President's Message by Bruce Bassett
Welcome to Spring!!
I think of spring often as these days of late Winter reluctantly begin to release its hold on Deer Lake. I am sitting in my new dining room, perched at least thirty feet above the lake, thoroughly enjoying a full view of its beauty in the quiet of the Winter that is getting ready to leave.
As I write this I think of all the challenges we have had and what we have done to meet those challenges successfully. But I also know that we face again this year new problems of equal importance that must be met head on. In the years that I have been associated with DLPOA I have been impressed with its willingness to battle for improvements. We will continue to do so.
This month we meet with Stevens County engineers to try to assess drainage problems that exist around the lake. This is true especially in regard to the roads that circle the lake. Obviously these roads are in need of improvement and in doing so drainage becomes a problem. We are working with the engineers hoping to solve both the problem of drainage as well as dust. Both of these problems will require the intelligence and cooperation that only the property owners can give to the board members of DLPOA. Our goal is for better air and water quality and consequently a decidedly better place to live and play for everyone.
We have many other challenges and we strongly encourage you to join us.
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Emergency Services by Gerry Block
This article is directed toward a fact of life - death and dying. It is not meant to offend anyone.
The Office of Emergency Medical and Trauma Prevention in Olympia has developed some new guidelines regarding the eligibility for the EMS-No CPR Program. As members of your volunteer fire department we are frequently asked for "the bracelet". We are not allowed to hand out paperwork or bracelets in connection with the No CPR Directives and the best way to obtain the needed packet is to have your physician call 1-800-458-5281 X 2 and order one. The EMS office in Olympia told me that this was a means of control so that EMS personnel would be assured that the directives were legal, when responding to a 911 call.
You may ask, "why would someone call 911 when I don't want to be resuscitated?" Folks, no matter who well we think things out or pre-plan, we are human beings. The EMS-No CPR Program does not mean no treatment or caring. Our spouse, neighbor or children may need the support of the EMS personnel during our precess of dying. The No CPR Directive has three sections.
Part 1: signed by the patient. We will need to make an office appointment with our personal physician to discuss the "what-ifs" regarding the directive decision. Once signed the green copy is kept by the patient and available to emergency personnel.
Part 2: This section is signed by someone holding our durable power of attorney if we are incapable of making our own health care decision.
Part 3 is the physicians directive verifying that we have been counseled on the risks/benefits of our decision.
This program is for those of us, 18 years of age and older who have decided that CPR will not be initiated in case of heart of breathing arrest. This is a difficult decision and requires an in depth discussion with our physician and significant other.
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Water Safety by Mike Phillips
Water safety?? This time of year? You bet!
Just a reminder for those venturesome people who might be walking on the ice - or water depending on when you are reading this, since the ice is melting as this is written. The ice condition and thickness may vary dramatically from one part of the lake to another. A wise thing to do is to test the thickness on the perimeter where you plan to walk. As conditions change, keep an eye on your children and pets.
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Legislative Committee by Don Stragis
Stevens County and the DOE are still debating the Shoreline Management Program for Stevens County. The program was approved by our commissioners and submitted for review to DOE last June.
DOE desires some major changes like Specific rules for critical areas such as wetlands in the shoreline program. Stevens County desires to Generally address these issues in the shoreline program and specifically address them through planning, zoning and growth management regulations.
A committee representative of diverse interests is currently forming a Critical Areas Plan for the county. The focus is to obtain rules, regulations and policies governing the development of land use issues affecting sensitive areas such as wetlands or steep slopes. A draft plan is due later this Spring which will be subject to public review. Your DLPOA board will continue to monitor and address these issues.
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Road Maintenance by Jack Low
In the last newsletter there was a discussion of an RID (Road Improvement District) to address the problem of dust control on Deer Lake's roads which remain unpaved. However, after further discussion with Jerry Bryant, county road engineer, and with county commissioner Fran Besserman, your DLPOA board feels that for the following reasons, a RID may not be the best solution. Administrative costs are very high, the project would require extensive excavation adding to the overall cost and establishing a RID is a time consuming process.
A preferable alternative plan would be to apply for a state grant. Mr Bryant will begin application right away. The major obstacles to the grant will be drainage and construction easements. It will take the cooperation of property owners in the affected areas to complete the project and make it a success on part with our guardrail project.
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Officers
President: Bruce Bassett, VP: Jerry Groom, Secretary: Floyd Stewart, Treasurer: Pete Clark
Directors: Dean Crump, Jack Bassett, Dick Mclaughlin, Don Stragis, Jerry McBride, Gerry Glock, Mike Phillips, Doyle Knight, Ken Brinkman, Tim Dschaak, Jack Low, Rick Hurd